Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattles northern Japan

JAPAN (BNO NEWS) -- A strong earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan on Sunday afternoon, seismologists and witnesses said. No tsunami warnings were issued.

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake at 12.32 p.m. local time (0332 UTC) was centered about 116 kilometers (72 miles) east-northeast of Iwaki on Japan's Honshu island. It struck about 40 kilometers (24 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Some areas of northern Japan experienced moderate shaking, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. No tsunami warnings were issued.

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